Hi galpals and happy Saturday! I can’t believe that the most beloved time of the summer shopping season, aka the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale starts on Thursday, the 13th! This sale is by far my favorite for many reasons, but the top three go like this.
1. Nordstrom is a top-notch retailer.
I think people have a misconception about shopping at Nordstrom. They automatically hear the name and think that the prices are too high and they only carry high-end designer items. Well that couldn’t be furthest from the truth! I personally do 85-90% of my retail shopping there. I have come to find certain brands that I know are of great quality and have excellent price-points. These include Sam Edelman, Lush, Topshop, Bobeau, BP., Chealsea28, Vince Camuto, Halogen, and Caslon. I find that the sizing information and item reviews on Nordstrom.com are extremely helpful in determining the fit and quality. Yes, they also carry Valentino (hello, Rockstuds, I see you) and Chloe Bags (sigh, that mustard satchel will always haunt me) but if you save your pennies, you can invest in an item that is going to be a forever piece.
I also love Nordstrom because they have FREE shipping and FREE returns. I have returned countless items and the process is fool-proof. Each shipment comes with a return label. So all you have to do is just pop that box right in your local USPS Blue Box and off it goes. In about 7-10 days (usually sooner) you will receive an email notification letting you know that your items were received and the return is being processed. Then between 3-5 days you will see the refund on your online bank account.
I love to shop on the go and sometimes fall in love with an item right away and I don’t want to wait to get home to hop online, so I have the Nordstrom app on my phone! This makes going from my LiketoKnow.it emails to the Nordstrom site a breeze when I want browse and add items to my shopping cart. Seriously, so convenient!
2. Fall is not far away.
You may be thinking, why would you start to stock up on Fall items while we’re still sitting pretty in the month of July?! Well take it from me… Come September when I start to get that Fall itch and plan my denim, jacket, and bootie ensembles, I kick myself for not have gotten exactly what I wanted, and on sale, because back then it was July and I didn’t want to buy Fall items. Now is the time to plan your Fall & Winter wardrobe! Here a few steps I always take before I shop this sale might help you figure out exactly what you are looking for!
First, I purge items that I didn’t wear much or at all from January through July. I’m a big believer in selling and donating items that you’re not in love with. Clear out the old and make room for the pretty! Second, I take note of the pieces that I have lots of. For me, these items are white tees, high-waisted jeans, booties, sweaters, and handbags. Though I need another handbag like I need a hole in the head, I do need fresh white t-shirts and one can never have enough pairs of awesome denim that you feel great in! And thirdly, once I have purged and evaluated, I then figure out what I’m missing or have been thinking about.
This year, I know I need a pair of blush wedge booties with a 2-3 inch wooden heel. Preferably a pair that zip on the side, are not open-toed, and have a little detail of some sort. Specific, I know! But I feel more confident in a shoe that has a little heel and I don’t like the way black shoes look on me! #shortgirlprobs. During last year’s sale, I found the best pair of booties but didn’t pull the trigger. Then October rolled around and I searched high and low for those babies. Sadly I never found them and went all winter without a pair of shoes that I truly loved. Well I’m not making that mistake again this year!
3. Earn while spending.
Nordstrom offers their loyal customers an awesome program called Nordstrom Rewards, in which you earn Nordstrom Notes each time you spend. You can either have a Nordstrom Credit Card or a Nordstrom Debit Card. You have to decide which one is best for you, your budget, and your lifestyle. I personally use the debit card because I am much more thoughtful and intentional with my purchases when they come directly out of my checking account! That is another reason why I love the Nordstrom app, because I can add items to my cart and then think on it. If it’s still there in a few days when I revisit my cart, then it was meant to be!
Whether you choose the credit card or go the debit route, you earn Nordstrom Notes each time you use one of those payment methods AND you gain early access to this sale! And that is a big deal. Only Nordstrom card holders have early access, and believe you me, you want early access GF! Three years ago I wasn’t a Nordstrom card holder and had to wait that dreadful week while everyone and their mother shopped the sale early. By the time I was able to check-out, most of my items had already been purchased and/or placed on backorder. Though I don’t let the backorder bother me because most of the items I purchase are for the coming months, not necessarily to wear right this minute.
Here are some of the items I purchased last year and have definitely got my money’s worth!
TREASURE & BOND BOYFRIEND JEANS
What are you planning to snag during the sale? I would love to know! xoxo
